Summary
This review, published in Veterinary Medicine and Science, synthesises the available literature on the use of biochar as a feed additive and bedding amendment in animal agriculture. It likely examines evidence across multiple livestock species, assessing biochar's potential to improve gut health, reduce pathogen load, enhance feed efficiency, and mitigate environmental impacts such as ammonia and methane emissions. The paper represents a consolidation of emerging research in this area, though the strength of conclusions will be contingent on the volume and consistency of the underlying primary studies reviewed.
UK applicability
The findings are broadly applicable to UK livestock systems, where interest in biochar as both a soil amendment and animal health intervention is growing; UK farmers and advisers should note that regulatory approval for biochar as a feed additive within the UK post-Brexit framework would need to be confirmed before practical adoption.
Key measures
Animal health indicators; feed conversion ratio; growth performance; greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. methane, nitrous oxide); gut microbiome composition; manure nutrient content
Outcomes reported
The study likely reviewed evidence on biochar's effects on animal health parameters, feed efficiency, and environmental metrics such as greenhouse gas emissions and manure nutrient management across multiple livestock species.
Topic tags
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